Apparatus and method for electric vehicle battery resource sharing

ABSTRACT

A system and method for an electric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system is provided. One embodiment has a plurality of battery modules and a plurality of battery exchange facilities. Each different EV contains a battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at least one of the plurality of battery modules within the EV. A user of an EV, while at the battery exchange facility, exchanges a discharged first battery module for a second battery module that has been recharged. The battery exchange facility releases the recharged second battery module to the user after a payment has been made by the user. The battery exchange facility subsequently recharges the discharged first battery module after the user has placed the discharged first battery module into the battery exchange facility.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application, Ser.No. 63/175,797, filed on Apr. 16, 2021, entitled APPARATUS AND METHODFOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY RESOURCE SHARING, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming available to consumers as thevarious issues pertaining to power, speed, range and safety have beenovercome. Consumers now have more choices in available EVs as moremanufacturers begin to produce EVs in increasingly different styles.

However, all EVs inherently have the drawback of having a limited powersupply. Namely, the EV power supply consists of a bank of rechargeablebatteries. At some point, the EV battery power supply runs out and mustbe recharged. Consequently, the owner of the EV 102 is not able to usetheir EV during the battery recharging period.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional EV 102. To recharge the EV batterypower supply, the EV owner simply connects their EV 102 to a suitablerecharging station 104 using an electrical cable 106 and plug 108. TheEV 102 must remain stationary during the battery recharging process.Typically, the recharging may take some discernable amount of time forthe recharging to complete. Or, at least some amount of time is requiredfor partial recharging so that the EV 102 can be used for travel over alimited range.

Such recharging stations 104 are limited in number. Further, arecharging station 104 may not be available when and/or where the EVowner needs to perform a battery recharging operation.

This limitation may be extremely inconvenient for the EV owner,especially during a long distance trip that exceeds the battery's powersupply range. Here, the EV owner would be required to stop for batteryrecharging at some point during their trip.

Accordingly, in the arts of electric vehicles, there is a need forimproved methods, apparatus, and systems for providing electric power toan EV 102.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the EV battery resource sharing system provide a systemand method for an electric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system.One embodiment has a plurality of battery modules and a plurality ofbattery exchange facilities. Each different EV contains a battery swapcabinet that is configured to releasably secure at least one of theplurality of battery modules within the EV. A user of an EV, while atthe battery exchange facility, exchanges a discharged first batterymodule for a second battery module that is recharged. The batteryexchange facility releases the recharged second battery module to theuser after payment has been made by the user. The battery exchangefacility recharges the discharged first battery module after the userhas placed the discharged first battery module into the battery exchangefacility.

An objective of the EV battery resource sharing system is to providebattery standardization across the EV industry. The standardizationincludes standardization of the shape, size, terminal voltage, terminalconnectors, and communication protocols for EV battery modules.Accordingly, the EV battery is no longer bound to a particular vehicle.Another objective is to provide a robust and reliable tracking systemand protocol for standardized EV battery modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative toeach other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional EV.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an EV provisioned with an EV batteryresource sharing system.

FIG. 3 is an example block diagram of an example computing system thatmay be used to practice embodiments of an EV battery resource sharingsystem.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a battery module standardizationalliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an Electric Vehicle (EV) 102 provisionedwith an EV battery resource sharing system 200. Embodiments of the EVbattery resource sharing system 200 comprise a battery module 202 thatprovides power (electrical energy) to operate the EV 102, a battery swapcabinet 204 disposed within the EV 102 which secures the battery module202 and couples the battery module 202 to the power system of the EV102, and a battery exchange facility 206. A plurality of batteryexchange facilities 206 are conveniently dispersed over a geographicservice area. Each battery exchange facility 206 is configured to securea plurality of battery modules 202. A battery resource manager 208resides in the battery exchange facility 206 and manages the batterymodule swap out process (exchange process), wherein a discharged batterymodule 202 is removed from the EV 102 and is replaced with a rechargedbattery module 202 from the battery exchange facility 206.

The disclosed systems and methods for EV battery resource sharing system200 will become better understood through review of the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detaileddescription and figures provide examples of the various inventionsdescribed herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that thedisclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered withoutdeparting from the scope of the inventions described herein. Manyvariations are contemplated for different applications and designconsiderations, however, for the sake of brevity, each and everycontemplated variation is not individually described in the followingdetailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, various examples forsystems and methods for EV battery resource sharing system 200 areprovided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, ordissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, relatedfeatures will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, theuse of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with arelated feature name may be similar to the related feature in apreviously explained example. Features specific to a given example willbe described in that particular example. The reader should understandthat a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specificportrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example. Forexample, the EV battery resource sharing system 200 may be provisionedin other types of vehicles, such as vessels, aircraft, hybridgas/electric vehicles, or the like.

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particulardimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term,such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example,a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles acylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) areused interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to,and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements ormethod steps not expressly cited.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish oridentify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intendedto denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whetherdirectly or indirectly through intervening components. “Secured to”means directly connected without intervening components.

“Communicatively coupled” means that an electronic device exchangesinformation with another electronic device, either wirelessly or with awire based connector, whether directly or indirectly through acommunication network 330 (FIG. 3 ). “Controllably coupled” means thatan electronic device controls operation of another electronic device.

Returning to FIG. 2 , the battery module 202 in the EV 102 is safelysecured within the battery swap cabinet 204. Each battery module 202 hasa standardized set of terminals that mate with and connect tocorresponding terminals in the battery swap cabinet 204. Here, each ofthe different models of EVs 102 manufactured by a plurality of differentvehicle manufacturing companies have standardized battery swap cabinets204 with terminals configured to receive power from a standardizedbattery module 202.

The battery swap cabinets 204 preferably have cabinet doors that areeasily and conveniently accessed by the user during a battery module 202swap out. The battery swap cabinet 204 may be configured to enableaccess to the secured battery module 202 from the back, the front, thebottom, and/or the side of the EV 102. Since powering the EV 102 mayrequire a relatively large amount of power capacity, and because anindividual battery module 202 must be easily handled by a person, anyparticular EV 102 may be configured to hold and secure a plurality ofbattery modules 202 in one or more battery swap cabinets 204. That is,the standardized battery module 202 would have a size and/or weight thatpermits a typical user to manipulate the battery module 202 easily andconveniently, with or without assistance of a fixture, with or withouthandles or other grasping devices attached to the battery.

The terminals 218 of the battery swap cabinet 204 are coupled to thepower system and the electronic control system of the EV 102. Dependingupon the power requirement characteristics of the motor 220 of the EV102, the battery swap cabinet 204 may be configured to releasably securemultiple battery modules 202. The battery swap cabinet 204 providesprotection to the EV 102 and the battery module 202, and serves as ananti-theft deterrent.

Preferably, each battery module 202 may be handled by the operator ofthe EV 102 or another individual to facilitate the battery module swapout process. With some EV's 102, a plurality of battery modules 202 maybe used to provide power. In practice, the operator or other individualmay choose to replace only those discharged battery modules 202 withreplacement recharged battery modules 202. Fully charged or partiallycharged battery modules 202 would not necessarily have to be replaced.

Similar to filling a legacy vehicle with gasoline, the EV operatordrives their EV 102 to the battery exchange facility 206. The EVoperator or another individual then removes the discharged or partiallydischarged battery module(s) 202 from the battery swap cabinet 204. Insome embodiments, a robotic machine may remove and replace the batterymodule 202. The EV operator or other individual then retrieves therecharged battery module(s) 202 from the battery exchange facility 206and then installs the battery module(s) 202 into the battery swapcabinet 204 of their EV 102.

When the recharged battery module is received by the user, the batteryresource manager 208 reports the information to the central dispatchfacility 340 (FIG. 3 ). The information includes at least the identifierof the recharged battery module that is received by the user,information that identifies the user (identity information), and a time(date and optionally hour of day) that the recharged battery module wasreceived by the user. Any other information of interest may be includedin the communicated information. For example, operational statusinformation describing the operational condition of the battery module202 may be sent to the central dispatch facility 340. Sales price paidby the user, cost information pertaining to the cost of recharging thebattery module 202, information identifying the owner of the batterymodule 202, and the type and/or model of the EV 102 are othernon-limiting examples of information that can be communicated to thecentral dispatch facility 340. With this information, the centraldispatch facility 340 can track the movement, a usage or use history of,and/or cost data for a particular battery module 202.

Battery modules 202 may be standardized to provide power to a pluralityof different models of EVs 102 manufactured by a plurality of differentvehicle companies. The battery modules 202 enable the EV batteryresource sharing system 202 to provide battery standardization acrossthe EV industry. The standardization includes standardization of theshape, size, terminal voltage, and communication protocols for EVbattery modules. Accordingly, the EV battery is no longer bound to aparticular vehicle. For example, a sedan, a sports car, a truck, a van,a bus, and a recreational vehicle (RV) are a non-limiting example listof vehicle models. Further, there may be a variety of different sizedand/or configured battery modules 202 that have been standardized acrossthe industry to accommodate different models of an EV 102. Accordingly,a standardized battery module 202 is defined as a battery module 202that is configured to be secured in a battery swap cabinet 204 ofdifferent models of vehicles that are made by different vehiclemanufacturing companies.

An unexpected benefit of standardizing battery modules 202 is that theinitial purchase cost of an EV 102 may be reduced since the purchaserdoes not have to pay for the power supply and/or since the manufacturermay not have to equip the EV 102 with the battery modules 202. Thepurchaser can pay for the service (use) of their battery modules 202,such as under a leasing or rental program managed by a third partyvendor, thus avoiding the initial purchase price of the EV's powersupply. (One skilled in the art appreciates that a battery exchangefacility 206 may be located at the vehicle point of purchase so thatdealership can provide the one or more recharged battery modules 202 tothe purchaser.)

The EV operator or other individual also places the discharged batterymodule(s) 202 in the battery exchange facility 206. The dischargedbattery module(s) 202 are then releasably secured by the batteryexchange facility 206.

Each battery exchange facility 206 has a power supply bus 210 that iscoupled to one or more of the local area electric power arid, a solarpanel, a wind generator, or another power source (not shown). Thedischarged battery module(s) 202 are then recharged with electricalpower received from the electric power grid via the power supply bus 210within the battery exchange facility 206.

In practice, each recharged battery module 202 has at least a predefinedamount of electrical power that is stored in the battery module 202.Accordingly, the EV operator knows how much electrical power that theyare purchasing when they receive a recharged battery module 202. Forexample, the predefined electrical power of a recharged battery module202 may be, for example, but not limited to, fifty kilowatt-hours (50kWh). Any suitable predefined amount of electric al power may be used inthe various embodiments.

One skilled in the art appreciates that capacity of any particularbattery module 202 may vary based on the age of the battery module 202,the number of recharging cycles the battery module 202 has gone through,the type of battery cell material, or the like. Such characteristics ofthe battery module 202 may be used to assess the state of the batterymodule 202. So long as the capacity of the battery module 202 is greaterthan the predefined amount of electrical power, the battery module 202may be recharged up to the predefined amount of electrical power. Oneskilled in the art understands that battery capacity degrades over theuseful lifetime of the battery module 202. When the capacity of thebattery module 202 falls below a predefined or a predetermined amount ofelectrical power, that battery module 202 may be identified for removalor retirement.

Individual battery modules 202 are coupled to the power supply bus 210via an intervening disconnect device 212. Each disconnect device 212 iscontrollably coupled to the battery resource manager 208. The rechargingprocess is controlled by the battery resource manager 208. The batteryresource manager 208 monitors the amount of electrical power provided tothe discharged battery module 202 during a recharging process. Othercharacteristics of the recharging may be monitored, such as time ofrecharge, rate of recharge, or the like. Such information may be used toevaluate the condition of the recharging battery module 202. The batteryresource manager 202 actuates the disconnect device 212 to decouple(disconnect) the discharged battery module 202 after the dischargedbattery module 202 has been recharged with a predefined amount ofelectrical power.

In the various embodiments, the operators of the battery exchangefacility 206 may determine the amount of electrical power that isrequired for recharging a returned discharged or partially dischargedbattery module 202. For example, but not limited to, the actual chargelevel may be monitored while the amount of recharging electrical poweris metered. The recharging process may end when the actual chargereaches the predefined amount of electrical power. Alternatively, theamount of residual electrical power may be determined, and then thedifference between the predefined amount of electrical power and theamount of residual electrical power can be provided to the rechargingbattery module 202. Any suitable process of managing the amount ofelectrical power that is provided during the recharging process may beused in the various embodiments of the EV battery resource sharingsystem 200.

As noted above, a returned discharged battery module 202 will likelyhave some amount of remaining or residual stored electrical power.Accordingly, the operator of the battery exchange facility 206 will onlyneed to provide an amount of electrical power required to recharge thebattery module 202 to the predefined amount of electrical power.Returning to the hypothetical example of the 50 kWh predefined amount ofelectrical power, if the residual charge on the returned battery module202 is 5 kWh, then the recharging requires only 45 kWh. If anotherreturned battery module 202 has 10 kWh of remaining charge, then theoperator of the battery exchange facility 206 needs only to provide 40kWh to recharge that battery module 202. An unexpected benefit to theoperator of the battery exchange facility 206 is that the rechargingcost can be accurately managed. That is, the operator of the batteryexchange facility 206 does not have to pay for the cost of power if therecharging process stops when the charge level of the battery module 202reaches the predefined amount of electrical power.

Embodiments of the EV battery resource sharing system 200 may beconfigured to recharge a battery module 202 using the most costefficient available power source. Accordingly, some embodiments mayinclude a plurality of power supply busses 210, and may be coupled todifferent sources of power, such as the electric power grid, a solarpanel, and/or a wind turbine. A disconnect device, switch or the likemay be used to selectively couple the battery exchange facility 206 to aselected power source that provides the lowest cost energy forrecharging the battery module 202.

Alternatively, or additionally, embodiments of the EV battery resourcesharing system 200 may be configured to recharge a battery module 202during off peak power times when the cost of power may be less than atother times of the day. Off peak times are known to be periods of timewhen usage of power by all customers on the power grid is below somethreshold level. The power suppliers typically sell power at reducedrates during off peak times. During other times of the day, such asduring the peak demand time of the day where power consumption istypically at a maximum rate by all customers connected to the powergrid, the rate charged for purchasing power may be greater.

For example, the battery exchange facility 206 may delay recharging ofreturned battery modules 202 so long as there is a sufficient number ofrecharged battery modules 202 available for customers. Here, if thenumber of recharged battery modules 202 drops below a predefinedthreshold number, then the battery exchange facility 206 may immediatelyrecharge one or more of the secured discharged battery modules 202 sothat sufficient quantaties of recharged battery modules 202 areavailable for customers. Otherwise, the battery exchange facility 206may delay recharging until off peak times of the day.

Some embodiments of the battery exchange facility 206 may be configuredto purchase power from different power providers if permitted by theregional regulating authority. Here, power may be purchased from aparticular power supplier having a favorable cost, and then transmittedto the battery exchange facility 206 via the electric grid.

After the battery module 202 has been recharged, the battery resourcemanager 208 saves information indicating that that particular batterymodule 202 is now recharged and is available for another customer.Accordingly, the battery resource manager 208 is able to accessinformation stored in the battery information database 326 (FIG. 3 ) toascertain the charging state of each of the battery modules 202.Further, when another customer comes to the battery exchange facility206 to exchange a discharged battery module 202 for a recharged batterymodule 202, the battery resource manager 208 can identify a particularrecharged battery module 202 based on the stored information, and thenrelease that identified recharged battery module 202 to the customerafter payment.

Alternatively, or additionally, the identified recharged battery module202 may be released to the customer after the discharged battery module202 has been returned to the battery exchange facility 206 by thecustomer. In some embodiments, the customer may receive a credit for thereturn of the discharged battery module 202 to the battery exchangefacility 206. Alternatively, or additionally, the battery resourcemanager 208 may automatically charge the customer through a third partybilling system 336 (FIG. 3 ), and then release the recharged batterymodule 202 to the customer after confirmation of payment from the thirdparty billing system 336. These above-described activities may beperformed by the battery resource manager 208 located at the batteryexchange facility 206 and/or at the central dispatch facility 340 (FIG.3 ).

Each battery module 202 has a unique identifier (ID). Preferably, the IDof the battery module 202 is readable by the battery resource manager208. For example, the battery module 202 may have a bar code or the likethat is scanned by the battery resource manager 208. Alternatively, oradditionally, the battery module 202 may have a module informationdevice 214, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or otherelectronic scannable identifying device that is readable by the batteryresource manager 208. Alternatively, or additionally, each batterymodule 202 may be provisioned with a mobile information device 214 thatcontains the ID information, and optionally other supplementalinformation in a memory, for that particular battery module 202.Information in the memory may be accessed using a hard wired or wirelesscommunication format.

Supplemental information, such as, but not limited to, dimensions of thebattery module 202, manufacturer of the battery module 202, owner of thebattery module 202, owner contact information, or the like may beincluded with the ID information. The supplemental information may beused for revenue sharing purposes such that the owner of the batteryexchange facility 206 is compensated for recharging an exchangeddischarged battery module 202, and the owner of the battery module 202is compensated for their investment in a battery module 202. Forexample, the battery resource manager 208 may determine the cost ofrecharging an exchanged battery module 202. After the recharging cost isdeducted from the fee paid by the customer (interchangeably referred toherein as the user) to acquire the recharged battery module 202, theremaining amount of money may be shared among the owner of the batterymodule 202, the owner of the battery exchange facility, and otherinterested parties. That is, the fee includes three components: acomponent for the energy cost (paid to the power provider), a fee forusage of the battery module 202 (paid to the owner of the battery module202), and a service fee (paid to the owner of the battery exchangefacility 206).

In some embodiments, in a returned, partially discharged battery module202 may be determined. A credit for the amount of remaining power(energy) may then be computed and applied to the customer who isreturning the battery module 202. For example, the customer may betravelling to a location where the partially discharged battery module202 does not have sufficient power to complete the trip. Accordingly,the customer may return a partially discharged battery module 202 thathas some remaining amount of power. To illustrate, the partiallydischarged battery module 202 may have a remaining amount of power equalto twenty five percent (25%) of the capacity of the battery module 202.Here, a computed value of the remaining power may be applied as a creditto the cost that the customer pays to obtain a recharged battery module202 from the battery exchange facility 206.

In some embodiments, the RFID tag 214 may also be used for devicetracking by a remote party and/or by the battery resource manager 208.Here, the current location of a specific battery module 202 can bedetermined.

In some embodiments, a securing device 216 releasably secures each ofthe individual battery modules 202 within the battery exchange facility206. Preferably, each securing device 216 is controllably coupled to thebattery resource manager 208. For example, when a user has paid for arecharged battery module 202, the battery resource manager 208 mayactuate the securing device 216 to release a selected battery swapcabinet 204. When a user returns a discharged battery module 202 to thebattery exchange facility 206, the battery resource manager 208 mayactuate a selected securing device 216 to releasably secure the returnedbattery module 202.

FIG. 3 is an example block diagram of an example computing system thatmay be used to practice embodiments of an EV battery resource sharingsystem 200 described herein. Note that one or more general purposevirtual or physical computing systems suitably instructed or a specialpurpose computing system may be used to implement the EV batteryresource sharing system 200. Further, the EV battery resource sharingsystem 200 may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or insome combination to achieve the capabilities described herein.

Note that one or more general purpose or special purpose computingsystems/devices may be used to implement the described techniques.However, just because it is possible to implement the EV batteryresource sharing system 200 on a general purpose computing system doesnot mean that the techniques themselves or the operations required toimplement the techniques are conventional or well known.

The battery resource manager 208 may comprise one or more server and/orclient computing systems and may span distributed locations. Inaddition, each block shown may represent one or more such blocks asappropriate to a specific embodiment or may be combined with otherblocks. Moreover, the various blocks of the battery resource manager 208may physically reside on one or more machines, which use standard (e.g.,TCP/IP) or proprietary interprocess communication mechanisms tocommunicate with each other.

In the embodiment shown, the battery resource manager 208 comprises acomputer memory (“memory”) 302, a display 304, one or more CentralProcessing Units (“CPU”) 306, Input/Output devices 308 (e.g., keyboard,mouse, CRT or LCD display, etc.), other computer-readable media 310, anoptional wireless transceiver 312, an optional payment processing system314, and one or more network connections 332. A portion of the batteryexchange facility 206 is shown residing in memory 302. In otherembodiments, some portion of the contents, and some or all of thecomponents of the battery resource manager 208 may be stored on and/ortransmitted over the other computer-readable media 310. The componentsof the battery resource manager 208 preferably execute on one or moreCPUs 306 and manage the recharging and information tracking of thebattery module 202, as described herein. Other code or programs 313 andpotentially other data repositories, such as data repository 314, alsoreside in the memory 302, and preferably execute on one or more CPUs306. Of note, one or more of the components in FIG. 3 may notnecessarily be present in any specific implementation. For example, someembodiments embedded in other software may not provide means for userinput or display.

In a typical embodiment, the battery resource manager 208 includes abattery recharge module 316, a battery information tracking module 318,a customer information module 320, a processor 322, APIs 324, a batteryinformation database 326 and a customer information database 328. In atleast some embodiments, the battery information database 326 and/or thecustomer information database 328 may be provided external to the batterexchange facility 206 and be available, potentially, over one or morenetworks 330 via network connections 332. Other and/or different modulesmay be implemented. In addition, the battery resource manager 208 mayinteract via a network 330 with one or more client computing systems334, one or more third-party information provider systems 336, and oneor more mobile electronic devices 338, such as, but not limited to,smart phones. Also, of note, the battery information database 326 and acustomer information database 328 may be external to the batteryresource manager 208 as well, for example in a Web-based knowledge baseaccessible over one or more networks 330.

In an example embodiment, components/modules of the battery resourcemanager 208 are implemented using standard programming techniques. Forexample, the battery resource manager 208 may be implemented as a“native” executable running on the CPU 306, along with one or morestatic or dynamic libraries. In other embodiments, the battery resourcemanager 208 may be implemented as instructions processed by a virtualmachine. In general, a range of programming languages known in the artmay be employed for implementing such example embodiments, includingrepresentative implementations of various programming languageparadigms, including, but not limited to, object-oriented (e.g., Java,C++, C #, Visual Basic.NET, Smalltalk, and the like), functional (e.g.,ML, Lisp, Scheme, and the like), procedural (e.g., C, Pascal, Ada,Modula, and the like), scripting (e.g., Perk Ruby, Python, JavaScript,VBScript, and the like), and declarative (e.g., SQL, Prolog, and thelike).

The embodiments described above may also use well-known or proprietary,synchronous or asynchronous, client-server computing techniques. Also,the various components may be implemented using more monolithicprogramming techniques, for example, as an executable running on asingle CPU computer system, or alternatively decomposed using a varietyof structuring techniques known in the art, including, but not limitedto, multiprogramming, multithreading, client-server, or peer-to-peer,running on one or more computer systems each having one or more CPUs.Some embodiments may execute concurrently and asynchronously andcommunicate using message passing techniques. Equivalent synchronousembodiments are also supported. Also, other functions could beimplemented and/or performed by each component/module, and in differentorders, and/or in different components/modules, yet still achieve thedescribed functions.

In addition, programming interfaces for data stored as part of thebattery resource manager 208 (e.g., in the battery information database326 and the customer information database 328) can be available bystandard mechanisms such as through C, C++, C #, and Java APIs;libraries for accessing files, databases, or other data repositories;through scripting languages such as XML; or through Web servers, FTPservers, or other types of servers providing access to stored data. Thebattery information database 326 and a customer information database 328may be implemented as one or more database systems, file systems, or anyother technique for storing such information, or any combination of theabove, including implementations using distributed computing techniques.

Also, the example battery resource manager 208 may be implemented in adistributed environment comprising multiple, even heterogeneous,computer systems and networks. Different configurations and locations ofprograms and data are contemplated for use with techniques of describedherein. Also, one or more of the modules 316, 318, 320 may themselves bedistributed, pooled or otherwise grouped, such as for load balancing,reliability or security reasons. A variety of distributed computingtechniques are appropriate for implementing the components of theillustrated embodiments in a distributed manner, including, but notlimited to, TCP/IP sockets, RPC, RMI, HTTP, Web Services (XML-RPC,JAX-RPC, SOAP, etc.) and the like. Other variations are possible. Also,other functionality could be provided by each component/module, orexisting functionality could be distributed among the components/modulesin different ways, yet still achieve the functions of the batteryresource manager 208.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, some or all of the components of thebattery resource manager 208 may be implemented or provided in othermanners, such as at least partially in firmware and/or hardware,including, but not limited to, one or more application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), standard integrated circuits, controllersexecuting appropriate instructions, and including microcontrollersand/or embedded controllers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and the like. Some or all ofthe system components and/or data structures may also be stored ascontents (e.g., as executable or other machine-readable softwareinstructions or structured data) on a computer-readable medium (e.g., ahard disk; memory; network; other computer-readable medium; or otherportable media article to be read by an appropriate drive or via anappropriate connection, such as a DVD or flash memory device) to enablethe computer-readable medium to execute or otherwise use or provide thecontents to perform at least some of the described techniques. Some orall of the components and/or data structures may be stored on tangible,non-transitory storage mediums. Some or all of the system components anddata structures may also be stored as data signals (e.g., by beingencoded as part of a carrier wave or included as part of an analog ordigital propagated signal) on a variety of computer-readabletransmission mediums, which are then transmitted, including acrosswireless-based and wired/cable-based mediums, and may take a variety offorms (e.g., as part of a single or multiplexed analog signal, or asmultiple discrete digital packets or frames). Such computer programproducts may also take other forms in other embodiments. Accordingly,embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced with other computersystem configurations.

In practice, when the operator of the EV 102 arrives at the batteryexchange facility 206, the operator/customer provides various input, viathe I/O devices 308, to identify themselves to the battery resourcemanager 208. In response to receiving the identify information of theoperator/customer, the customer information module 320 may access thecustomer information database 328 to determine if the identifiedoperator/customer is authorized to return a discharged battery module202, receive a recharged battery module 202, and/or exchange thedischarged battery module 202 for a recharged battery module 202.

If payment at the time of return, receipt, and/or exchange for one ormore battery modules 202 is required, payment may be made via thepayment processing system 314 (such as a credit card machine, cashmachine, or the like). Interactive feedback may be presented to theoperator by presenting text and/or image information on the display 304.Alternatively, or additionally, the operator may use a personal mobileelectronic device 338, such as a smart phone or a cellphone, tocommunicate with the battery resource manager 208 that receives wirelessdata via the transceiver 312 or one of the network connections 332.Another transceiver 312 may be configured to receive information fromthe RFID tag 214 of a battery module 202. Alternatively, oradditionally, the customer information module 320 may send an invoiceand/or receipt to a client computing system 334 (and/or a personalmobile electronic device 338) of the operator/customer (interchangeablyreferred to herein as a user), and/or to a third party informationprovider system 336. For example, the third party, such as a credit cardcompany, a bank or the like, may remotely handle invoicing and paymentprocessing.

As the discharged battery module 202 is exchanged for a rechargedbattery module 202, the batten information tracking module 318associates the identity of the exchanged battery modules 202 with theoperator/customer. This information, along with other supplementalinformation, is saved into the battery information database 326.Supplemental information may include the date and time of exchange, thelocation of the exchange, and/or information identifying the EV 102and/or the operator/customer. Here, each of the plurality of batteryexchange facilities are associated with an identifier that identifies alocation of that particular battery exchange facility 206.

Other supplemental information may include remaining power in thedischarged battery module 202 and/or the power level of the rechargedbattery module 202 that was received by the operator/customer. Thebattery information tracking module 318 may run various diagnosticroutines to assess the operational condition of the discharged batterymodule 202 that has been received, and/or to assess the operationalcondition of the charged battery module 202 that is going to bereceived, by the operator/customer. The operational condition is definedas a condition of the various components of a battery module 202 beingat least equal to a condition threshold that corresponds to asatisfactory operating condition of that component. In the variousembodiments, if the battery resource manager 208 assesses the conditionof a battery module 202 and determines that the condition of one of moreof the components does not meet the corresponding operational conditionthreshold, that battery module 202 will not be released to a user.Rather, the inoperative battery module 202 will be retained by thebattery exchange facility 206, which will then report the inoperativebattery module 202 to a central dispatch facility 340, and then releasethe inoperative battery module 202 to service personnel who will bedispatched to the battery exchange facility 206 to retrieve theinoperable battery module 202. Optionally, the battery resource manager208 may communicate other test result information for operable andinoperable battery modules 202 to the central dispatch facility 340 andto other interested parties.

Another optional function of the battery resource manager 208 is tofacilitate communication with other battery resource managers 208.Examples include, but are not limited to, inventory control may befacilitated between battery resource managers 208 and/or a centraldispatch facility 340. Here, the battery resource manager 208 at thebattery exchange facility 206 that issued the discharged battery module202 to the operator/customer (which was recharged) can be notified ofthe exchange at another battery exchange facility 206 and/or the centraldispatch facility 340.

If a damaged battery module 202 is identified, the battery resourcemanager 208 may facilitate replacement of the damaged battery module 202with a replacement battery module 202 by communicating the informationto the central dispatch facility 340. The central dispatch facility 340may automatically arrange for a service person to replace the damagedbattery module 202 with a functioning battery module 202.

The battery recharge module 316 manages the charging of a receiveddischarged battery module 202. Voltage, current and power received at acharging battery module 202 can be monitored and controlled to determinecost of the recharge and to limit or control the amount of powerprovided to the recharging battery module 202. Generally, the cost ofrecharging is the cost of power paid to the power provider, plus otherincidental costs.

One skilled in the art appreciates that when there are numerous batteryexchange facilities 206 are distributed over a large region, that thebattery exchange facilities 206 may receive power provided by differentpower providers (power companies, utilities, or the like). Thus, thecost of recharging may be different depending upon the rates charged forthe power consumed during the recharge. This actual cost information maybe used to determine the fee charged to the user. That is, the cost ofobtaining a recharged battery module 202 may vary between batteryexchange facilities 206. Further, actual cost information may becommunicated to the central dispatch facility 340. In some embodiments,the user may obtain cost information from different battery resourcemanagers 208 so that they can identify a preferred battery exchangefacility 206 that has a best cost and/or a most convenient location.

Once a battery module 202 has been recharged, the battery rechargemodule 316 may disconnect the charged battery module 202 from the powersupply bus 210 that is connected to the local electric power grid to endthe charging process. Further, the disconnecting of the battery module202 may be appropriate for safety reasons. In some embodiments, adisconnect device 212, such as a breaker or the like, may be used todisconnect the battery module 202 from the local electric power grid.The disconnect device 212 may provide a visible indicator that can beseen by a person so that they understand that it is safe to handle thebattery module 202. A securing device may be included with thedisconnect device 212 to prevent removal of the battery module 202 whilethe battery module 202 is connected to the power supply bus 210.

Periodically, the battery recharge module 316 may monitor charge on thebattery modules 202 stored at the battery exchange facility 206, whereinthe battery recharge module 316 may add additional electrical charge tothe battery modules 202 to ensure that the battery modules 202 remain ina recharged state with the predefined amount of electrical power thatdefines a battery module 202 as being recharged.

In some embodiments, the plurality of battery resource managers 208 mayoperate as a peer to peer network to facilitate communication with oneor more central dispatch facilities 340 and/or with other batteryresource managers 208.

In some embodiments, industry standards are defined for a plurality ofdifferent sized battery modules 202 with different electric powercapacities and the EV's corresponding battery swap cabinet 204.Different standards are used by all electric vehicle manufacturers thatare participating. For instance, battery module 202A may be used forsedans, battery module 202B may be used for SUVs, and battery module202C may be used for trucks since these different types of EVs 102 mayhave different power requirements. The battery swap cabinet 204 willhave different sizes accordingly with similar structures which willcontribute to an easier process of replacing a particular sizeddischarged battery module 202.

An unexpected advantage provided by embodiments of the EV batteryresource sharing system 200 results from the scalability of the system.Initially, a battery exchange facility 206 may be co-located with and/orbe in close proximity to an existing gasoline retail outlet (gasstation). Since the size of a battery exchange facility 206 may berelatively small (compared to the size required for a legacy gasstation), the battery exchange facility 206 may be located on oradjacent to the gas station property. As more and more client users,such as owners of the EVs 102, begin to use more and more batterymodules 202, the modular nature of an EV battery resource sharing system200 permit additional battery exchange facilities 206 to be installed ata single location as demand for recharged battery modules 202 increases.Further, other locations may be used for battery exchange facilities206, such as parking lots or garages at shopping malls, restaurants,travel rest stops, etc.

Also, employees currently working at legacy gas station may be crosstrained to swap out battery modules 202. As the use of gas decreases andtransition to use of the EV battery resource sharing system 200 occurs,these cross trained employees may be able to retain their jobs as thegrowing EV industry displaces legacy gas powered vehicles. Further, thebusiness owners of the legacy gas station may retain their business asthey will be able to provide both gas to legacy vehicles and batterymodules 202 to EVs 102. Eventually, a legacy gas station may transitionto providing only battery modules 202 to EV owners.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a battery module standardizationalliance 400. The alliance 400 is formed by agreement between batterymanufacturers/providers 402, EV manufacturers 404, and the batteryexchange facilities 206 to use a standardized battery module 202. Eachbattery manufacturer/provider 402, EV manufacturer 404, and batteryexchange facility 206 is identified by a unique identifier.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the EVbattery resource sharing system 200 are merely possible examples ofimplementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications maybe made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by any later filed claims.

Furthermore, the disclosure above encompasses multiple distinctinventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions hasbeen disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosedand illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense asnumerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventionsincludes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations ofthe various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosedabove and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to suchinventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a”or “an” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, thedisclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or moresuch elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more suchelements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed tocombinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that arebelieved to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in othercombinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/orproperties may be claimed through amendment of those claims orpresentation of new claims in the present application or in a relatedapplication. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed tothe same invention or a different invention and whether they aredifferent, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims,are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventionsdescribed herein.

Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the followingis claimed:
 1. An electric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system,comprising: a battery module standardization alliance, comprising: aplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies that manufacturea plurality of different models of EVs that are powered by at least onestandardized EV battery module; a plurality of battery manufacturersthat manufacture the standardized EV battery modules; a plurality ofbatter exchange facilities located where a user of an EV exchanges adischarged first standardized EV battery module manufactured by a firstone of the plurality of battery manufacturers for a fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module that is manufactured by a second one ofthe plurality of battery manufacturers, and a plurality of batteryproviders that own and that provide the standardized EV battery modulesto the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein the batterymodule standardization alliance is based on an alliance agreementbetween the plurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, theplurality of battery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers,and the plurality of batter exchange facilities, and wherein theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the plurality ofbattery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers, and theplurality of batter change facilities are each identified by a uniqueidentifier; a plurality of standardized EV battery modules, wherein theplurality of standardized EV battery modules includes the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module and the fully charged secondstandardized EV batter module, wherein the first standardized EV batterymodule stores a first identity information that uniquely identifies thefirst standardized EV battery module and that identifies the firstbattery manufacturer in a first module information device, and whereinthe second standardized EV battery module stores a second identityinformation that uniquely identifies the second standardized EV batterymodule and that identifies the second battery manufacturer in a secondmodule information device, wherein each of the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules is configured to provide power to any of theplurality of different models of EVs, wherein each different EV containsa battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at leastone of the plurality of standardized EV battery modules within the EVand is configured to electrically couple the at least one standardizedEV battery modules to an electric terminal of the EV battery swapcabinet to provide power to an electric motor the EV; and a firstbattery exchange facility, wherein the battery exchange facility is afirst one of the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein thefirst battery exchange facility has previously charged to at least apredefined amount of electrical power the second standardized EV batterymodule and has secured the second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility releases the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module to the user after a payment has been madeby the user for the fully charged second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility recharges the discharged firststandardized EV battery module after the user has placed the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module into the battery exchange facility,wherein the first standardized EV battery module stores a first usehistory information associated with the unique identifier of theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery providers, and the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery exchange facilities into thefirst module information device, wherein the second standardized EVbattery module stores a second use history information associated withthe unique identifier of the plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, the unique identifier of the plurality ofbattery providers, and the unique identifier of the plurality of batteryexchanges facilities into the second module information device, andwherein the EV battery resource sharing system further comprises: apower bus coupled to a power source that includes at least one of alocal electric power grid, a solar panel, and a wind generator, whereinthe power source provides electrical power to the power supply bus; adisconnect device configured to electrically couple the exchangeddischarged first standardized EV battery module to the power bus so thatthe battery exchange facility recharges the exchanged discharged firststandardized EV battery module; and a battery resource managercontrollably coupled to the disconnect device, wherein the batteryresource manager monitors an amount of electrical power provided to thefirst standardized EV battery module during a recharging process thatrecharges the first standardized EV battery module, and wherein thebattery resource manager actuates the disconnect device to decouple thefirst standardized EV battery module after the first standardized EVbattery module has been recharged with electrical power to thepredefined amount of electrical power.
 2. An electric vehicle (EV)battery resource sharing system, comprising: a battery modulestandardization alliance, comprising: a plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies that manufacture a plurality of different modelsof EVs that are powered by at least one standardized EV battery module,a plurality of battery manufacturers that manufacture the standardizedEV battery modules; a plurality of battery exchange facilities locatedwhere a user of an EV exchanges a discharged first standardized EVbattery module manufactured by a first one of the plurality of batterymanufacturers for a fully charged second standardized EV battery modulethat is manufactured by a second one of the plurality of batterymanufacturers; and a plurality of battery providers that own and thatprovide the standardized EV battery modules to the plurality of batteryexchange facilities, wherein the battery module standardization allianceis based on an alliance agreement between the plurality of differentvehicle manufacturing companies the plurality of battery manufacturers,the plurality of battery providers, and the plurality of batteryexchange facilities, and wherein the plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, the plurality of battery manufacturers, theplurality of battery providers, and the plurality of battery exchangefacilities are each identified by a unique identifier; a plurality ofstandardized EV battery modules, wherein the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules includes the discharged first standardized EV batterymodule and the fully charged second standardized EV batter module,wherein the first standardized EV battery module stores a first identityinformation that uniquely identifies the first standardized EV batterymodule and that identifies the first battery manufacturer in a firstmodule information device, and wherein the second standardized EVbattery module stores a second identity information that uniquelyidentifies the second standardized EV battery module and that identifiesthe second battery manufacturer in a second module information device,wherein each of the plurality of standardized EV battery modules isconfigured to provide power to any of the plurality of different modelsof EVs, wherein each different EV contains a battery swap cabinet thatis configured to releasably secure at least one of the plurality ofstandardized EV battery modules within the EV and is configured toelectrically couple the at least one standardized EV battery modules toan electric terminal of the EV battery swap cabinet to provide power toan electric motor the EV; and a first battery exchange facility, whereinthe battery exchange facility is a first one of the plurality of batteryexchange facilities, wherein the first battery exchange facility haspreviously charged to at least a predefined amount of electrical powerthe second standardized EV battery module and has secured the secondstandardized EV battery module, wherein the battery exchange facilityreleases the fully charged second standardized EV battery module to theuser after a payment has been made by the user for the fully chargedsecond standardized EV battery module, wherein the battery exchangefacility recharges the discharged first standardized EV battery moduleafter the user has placed the discharged first standardized EV batterymodule into the battery exchange facility, wherein the firststandardized EV battery module stores a first use history informationassociated with the unique identifier of the plurality of differentvehicle manufacturing companies, the unique identifier of the pluralityof battery providers, and the unique identifier of the plurality ofbattery exchange facilities into the first module information device,wherein the second standardized EV battery module stores a second usehistory information associated with the unique identifier of theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery providers, and the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery exchanges facilities into thesecond module information device, and wherein the EV battery resourcesharing system further comprises: a securing device that secures thefully charged second standardized EV battery module within the batteryexchange facility; and a battery resource manager controllably coupledto the securing device, wherein the battery resource manager monitors anamount of the payment made by the user for the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module, wherein the battery resource manageractuates the securing device to release the filly charged secondstandardized EV battery module to the user after the user has completedthe payment for the fully charged second standardized EV battery module.3. An electric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system, comprising:a battery module standardization alliance, comprising: a plurality ofdifferent vehicle manufacturing companies that manufacture a pluralityof different models of EVs that are powered by at least one standardizedEV battery module, a plurality of battery manufacturers that manufacturethe standardized EV battery modules; a plurality of battery exchangefacilities located where a user of an EV exchanges a discharged firststandardized EV battery module manufactured by a first one of theplurality of battery manufacturers for a fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module that is manufactured by a second one ofthe plurality of battery manufacturers; and a plurality of batteryproviders that own and that provide the standardized EV battery modulesto the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein the batterymodule standardization alliance is based on an alliance agreementbetween the plurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies theplurality of battery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers,and the plurality of battery exchange facilities, and wherein theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the plurality ofbattery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers, and theplurality of battery exchange facilities are each identified by a uniqueidentifier; a plurality of standardized EV battery modules, wherein theplurality of standardized EV battery modules includes the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module and the fully charged secondstandardized EV batter module, wherein the first standardized EV batterymodule stores a first identity information that uniquely identifies thefirst standardized EV battery module and that identifies the firstbattery manufacturer in a first module information device, and whereinthe second standardized EV battery module stores a second identityinformation that uniquely identifies the second standardized EV batterymodule and that identifies the second battery manufacturer in a secondmodule information device, wherein each of the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules is configured to provide power to any of theplurality of different models of EVs, wherein each different EV containsa battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at leastone of the plurality of standardized EV battery modules within the EVand is configured to electrically couple the at least one standardizedEV battery modules to an electric terminal of the EV battery swapcabinet to provide power to an electric motor the EV; and a firstbattery exchange facility, wherein the battery exchange facility is afirst one of the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein thefirst battery exchange facility has previously charged to at least apredefined amount of electrical power the second standardized EV batterymodule and has secured the second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility releases the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module to the user after a payment has been madeby the user for the fully charged second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility recharges the discharged firststandardized EV battery module after the user has placed the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module into the battery exchange facility,wherein the first standardized EV battery module stores a first usehistory information associated with the unique identifier of theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery providers, and the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery exchange facilities into thefirst module information device, wherein the second standardized EVbattery module stores a second use history information associated withthe unique identifier of the plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, the unique identifier of the plurality ofbattery providers, and the unique identifier of the plurality of batteryexchanges facilities into the second module information device, andwherein the EV battery resource sharing system further comprises: abattery resource manager communicatively coupled to the first moduleinformation device of the first standardized EV battery module, whereinthe battery resource manager acquires information pertaining to thefirst standardized EV battery module that has been stored on the firstmodule information device, and wherein the acquired information includesthe first identity information that uniquely identifies the firststandardized EV battery module and the first battery manufacturer, andincludes the first use history information associated with the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of different vehicle manufacturingcompanies, the unique identifier of the plurality of battery providers,and the unique identifier of the battery exchange facility.
 4. The EVbattery resource sharing system of claim 3, wherein the battery resourcemanager monitors an amount of electrical power provided to the firststandardized EV battery module during a recharging process thatrecharges the first standardized EV battery module, and wherein thebattery resource manager is configured to identify a cost of theelectrical power paid to a power provider for the recharging process ofthe exchanged first standardized EV battery module.
 5. The EV batteryresource sharing system of claim 4, wherein the user that exchanges thedischarged first standardized EV battery module is a first user, whereinafter completion of the recharging process of the exchanged firststandardized EV battery module, the recharged first standardized EVbattery module is provided to a second user in response to a paymentmade by the second user, wherein the acquired information includesinformation that identifies an owner of the first standardized EVbattery module, wherein the battery resource manager is configured todetermine a first payment that is due to the power provider, the firstpayment corresponding to the cost of the electrical power providedduring the recharging process of the first standardized EV batterymodule; wherein the battery resource manager is configured to determinea second payment due to the owner of the first standardized EV batterymodule based on the unique identifier of one of the plurality of batteryproviders, wherein the battery resource manager is configured todetermine a third payment due to an owner of the battery exchangefacility based on the unique identifier of battery exchange facility,and wherein the first payment due to the power provider, the secondpayment due to the owner of the first standardized EV battery module,and the third payment due to the owner of the battery exchange facilityat least equals the payment made by the second user for the rechargedfirst standardized EV battery module and is based on the allianceagreement.
 6. An electric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system,comprising: a battery module standardization alliance, comprising: aplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies that manufacturea plurality of different models of EVs that are powered by at least onestandardized EV battery module, a plurality of battery manufacturersthat manufacture the standardized EV battery modules; a plurality ofbattery exchange facilities located where a user of an EV exchanges adischarged first standardized EV battery module manufactured by a firstone of the plurality of battery manufacturers for a fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module that is manufactured by a second one ofthe plurality of battery manufacturers; and a plurality of batteryproviders that own and that provide the standardized EV battery modulesto the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein the batterymodule standardization alliance is based on an alliance agreementbetween the plurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies theplurality of battery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers,and the plurality of battery exchange facilities, and wherein theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the plurality ofbattery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers, and theplurality of battery exchange facilities are each identified by a uniqueidentifier; a plurality of standardized EV battery modules, wherein theplurality of standardized EV battery modules includes the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module and the fully charged secondstandardized EV batter module, wherein the first standardized EV batterymodule stores a first identity information that uniquely identifies thefirst standardized EV battery module and that identifies the firstbattery manufacturer in a first module information device, and whereinthe second standardized EV battery module stores a second identityinformation that uniquely identifies the second standardized EV batterymodule and that identifies the second battery manufacturer in a secondmodule information device, wherein each of the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules is configured to provide power to any of theplurality of different models of EVs, wherein each different EV containsa battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at leastone of the plurality of standardized EV battery modules within the EVand is configured to electrically couple the at least one standardizedEV battery modules to an electric terminal of the EV battery swapcabinet to provide power to an electric motor the EV; and a firstbattery exchange facility, wherein the battery exchange facility is afirst one of the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein thefirst battery exchange facility has previously charged to at least apredefined amount of electrical power the second standardized EV batterymodule and has secured the second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility releases the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module to the user after a payment has been madeby the user for the fully charged second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility recharges the discharged firststandardized EV battery module after the user has placed the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module into the battery exchange facility,wherein the first standardized EV battery module stores a first usehistory information associated with the unique identifier of theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery providers, and the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery exchange facilities into thefirst module information device, wherein the second standardized EVbattery module stores a second use history information associated withthe unique identifier of the plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, the unique identifier of the plurality ofbattery providers, and the unique identifier of the plurality of batteryexchanges facilities into the second module information device, andwherein the EV battery resource sharing system further comprises: abattery resource manager; and a network connection communicativelycoupled to the battery resource manager, wherein the network connectionis configured to communicatively couple the battery resource manager toa central dispatch center via a network, and wherein the batteryresource manager communicates the first identity information and thefirst use history information of the first standardized EV batterymodule and the second identity information and the second use historyinformation of the second standardized EV battery module to the centraldispatch center, wherein the battery resource manager assesses anoperational condition of at least one of the first standardized EVbattery module and the second standardized EV battery module, andwherein the battery resource manager communicates informationcorresponding to the operational condition of the first standardized EVbattery module and the second standardized EV battery module to thecentral dispatch center.
 7. An electric vehicle (EV) battery resourcesharing system, comprising: a battery module standardization alliance,comprising: a plurality of different vehicle manufacturing companiesthat manufacture a plurality of different models of EVs that are poweredby at least one standardized EV battery module, a plurality of batterymanufacturers that manufacture the standardized EV battery modules; aplurality of battery exchange facilities located where a user of an EVexchanges a discharged first standardized EV battery module manufacturedby a first one of the plurality of battery manufacturers for a fullycharged second standardized EV battery module that is manufactured by asecond one of the plurality of battery manufacturers; and a plurality ofbattery providers that own and that provide the standardized EV batterymodules to the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein thebattery module standardization alliance is based on an allianceagreement between the plurality of different vehicle manufacturingcompanies the plurality of battery manufacturers, the plurality ofbattery providers, and the plurality of battery exchange facilities, andwherein the plurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, theplurality of battery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers,and the plurality of battery exchange facilities are each identified bya unique identifier; a plurality of standardized EV battery modules,wherein the plurality of standardized EV battery modules includes thedischarged first standardized EV battery module and the fully chargedsecond standardized EV batter module, wherein the first standardized EVbattery module stores a first identity information that uniquelyidentifies the first standardized EV battery module and that identifiesthe first battery manufacturer in a first module information device, andwherein the second standardized EV battery module stores a secondidentity information that uniquely identifies the second standardized EVbattery module and that identifies the second battery manufacturer in asecond module information device, wherein each of the plurality ofstandardized EV battery modules is configured to provide power to any ofthe plurality of different models of EVs, wherein each different EVcontains a battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secureat least one of the plurality of standardized EV battery modules withinthe EV and is configured to electrically couple the at least onestandardized EV battery modules to an electric terminal of the EVbattery swap cabinet to provide power to an electric motor the EV; and afirst battery exchange facility, wherein the battery exchange facilityis a first one of the plurality of battery exchange facilities, whereinthe first battery exchange facility has previously charged to at least apredefined amount of electrical power the second standardized EV batterymodule and has secured the second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility releases the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module to the user after a payment has been madeby the user for the fully charged second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility recharges the discharged firststandardized EV battery module after the user has placed the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module into the battery exchange facility,wherein the first standardized EV battery module stores a first usehistory information associated with the unique identifier of theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery providers, and the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery exchange facilities into thefirst module information device, wherein the second standardized EVbattery module stores a second use history information associated withthe unique identifier of the plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, the unique identifier of the plurality ofbattery providers, and the unique identifier of the plurality of batteryexchanges facilities into the second module information device, andwherein the EV battery resource sharing system further comprises: abattery resource manager; and a network connection communicativelycoupled to the battery resource manager, wherein the network connectioncommunicatively couples the battery resource manager to a mobileelectronic device of the user, and wherein the battery resource managercommunicates information pertaining to the payment that will be chargedto the user to obtain the fully charged second standardized EV batterymodule prior to releasing the fully charged second standardized EVbattery module to the user.
 8. The EV battery resource sharing system ofclaim 7, wherein the battery exchange facility comprises: a paymentprocessing system communicatively coupled to the battery resourcemanager, and wherein the payment processing system receives the paymentfrom the user.
 9. The EV battery resource sharing system of claim 8,wherein the network connection communicatively couples the batteryresource manager to a client computing system of the user, and whereinthe battery resource manager communicates information corresponding tothe payment to the client computing system.
 10. An electric vehicle (EV)battery resource sharing system, comprising: a battery modulestandardization alliance, comprising: a plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies that manufacture a plurality of different modelsof EVs that are powered by at least one standardized EV battery module,a plurality of battery manufacturers that manufacture the standardizedEV battery modules; a plurality of battery exchange facilities locatedwhere a user of an EV exchanges a discharged first standardized EVbattery module manufactured by a first one of the plurality of batterymanufacturers for a fully charged second standardized EV battery modulethat is manufactured by a second one of the plurality of batterymanufacturers; and a plurality of battery providers that own and thatprovide the standardized EV battery modules to the plurality of batteryexchange facilities, wherein the battery module standardization allianceis based on an alliance agreement between the plurality of differentvehicle manufacturing companies the plurality of battery manufacturers,the plurality of battery providers, and the plurality of batteryexchange facilities, and wherein the plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, the plurality of battery manufacturers, theplurality of battery providers, and the plurality of battery exchangefacilities are each identified by a unique identifier; a plurality ofstandardized EV battery modules, wherein the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules includes the discharged first standardized EV batterymodule and the fully charged second standardized EV batter module,wherein the first standardized EV battery module stores a first identityinformation that uniquely identifies the first standardized EV batterymodule and that identifies the first battery manufacturer in a firstmodule information device, and wherein the second standardized EVbattery module stores a second identity information that uniquelyidentifies the second standardized EV battery module and that identifiesthe second battery manufacturer in a second module information device,wherein each of the plurality of standardized EV battery modules isconfigured to provide power to any of the plurality of different modelsof EVs, wherein each different EV contains a battery swap cabinet thatis configured to releasably secure at least one of the plurality ofstandardized EV battery modules within the EV and is configured toelectrically couple the at least one standardized EV battery modules toan electric terminal of the EV battery swap cabinet to provide power toan electric motor the EV; and a first battery exchange facility, whereinthe battery exchange facility is a first one of the plurality of batteryexchange facilities, wherein the first battery exchange facility haspreviously charged to at least a predefined amount of electrical powerthe second standardized EV battery module and has secured the secondstandardized EV battery module, wherein the battery exchange facilityreleases the fully charged second standardized EV battery module to theuser after a payment has been made by the user for the fully chargedsecond standardized EV battery module, wherein the battery exchangefacility recharges the discharged first standardized EV battery moduleafter the user has placed the discharged first standardized EV batterymodule into the battery exchange facility, wherein the firststandardized EV battery module stores a first use history informationassociated with the unique identifier of the plurality of differentvehicle manufacturing companies, the unique identifier of the pluralityof battery providers, and the unique identifier of the plurality ofbattery exchange facilities into the first module information device,wherein the second standardized EV battery module stores a second usehistory information associated with the unique identifier of theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery providers, and the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery exchanges facilities into thesecond module information device, wherein the battery exchange facilityis a first one of a plurality of battery exchange facilities each with abattery resource manager, and wherein the EV battery resource sharingsystem further comprises: a central dispatch facility communicativelycoupled to the battery resource manager residing in each of theplurality of battery exchange facilities; wherein each of the pluralityof battery exchange facilities includes a location identifier thatidentifies a location of that particular battery exchange facility; andwherein the central dispatch facility acquires information from each ofthe battery resource managers in each of the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules that identifies each of the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules and the current location of the battery exchangefacility where the respective standardized EV battery module is securedsuch that the location of each one of the plurality of standardized EVbattery modules secured in a battery exchange facility is determinable.11. The EV battery resource sharing system of claim 10, wherein thebattery exchange facility communicates information to the centraldispatch facility pertaining to the fully charged second standardized EVbattery module that is received by the user, and wherein the informationincludes at least the identifier of the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module that is received by the user, identityinformation of the user, and a time that the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module that was received by the user.
 12. Anelectric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system, comprising: abattery module standardization alliance, comprising: a plurality ofdifferent vehicle manufacturing companies that manufacture a pluralityof different models of EVs that are powered by at least one standardizedEV battery module, a plurality of battery manufacturers that manufacturethe standardized EV battery modules; a plurality of battery exchangefacilities located where a user of an EV exchanges a discharged firststandardized EV battery module manufactured by a first one of theplurality of battery manufacturers for a fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module that is manufactured by a second one ofthe plurality of battery manufacturers; and a plurality of batteryproviders that own and that provide the standardized EV battery modulesto the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein the batterymodule standardization alliance is based on an alliance agreementbetween the plurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies theplurality of battery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers,and the plurality of battery exchange facilities, and wherein theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the plurality ofbattery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers, and theplurality of battery exchange facilities are each identified by a uniqueidentifier; a plurality of standardized EV battery modules, wherein theplurality of standardized EV battery modules includes the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module and the fully charged secondstandardized EV batter module, wherein the first standardized EV batterymodule stores a first identity information that uniquely identifies thefirst standardized EV battery module and that identifies the firstbattery manufacturer in a first module information device, and whereinthe second standardized EV battery module stores a second identityinformation that uniquely identifies the second standardized EV batterymodule and that identifies the second battery manufacturer in a secondmodule information device, wherein each of the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules is configured to provide power to any of theplurality of different models of EVs, wherein each different EV containsa battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at leastone of the plurality of standardized EV battery modules within the EVand is configured to electrically couple the at least one standardizedEV battery modules to an electric terminal of the EV battery swapcabinet to provide power to an electric motor the EV; and a firstbattery exchange facility, wherein the battery exchange facility is afirst one of the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein thefirst battery exchange facility has previously charged to at least apredefined amount of electrical power the second standardized EV batterymodule and has secured the second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility releases the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module to the user after a payment has been madeby the user for the fully charged second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility recharges the discharged firststandardized EV battery module after the user has placed the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module into the battery exchange facility,wherein the first standardized EV battery module stores a first usehistory information associated with the unique identifier of theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery providers, and the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery exchange facilities into thefirst module information device, wherein the second standardized EVbattery module stores a second use history information associated withthe unique identifier of the plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, the unique identifier of the plurality ofbattery providers, and the unique identifier of the plurality of batteryexchanges facilities into the second module information device, whereinthe plurality of standardized EV battery modules is a first plurality ofstandardized EV battery modules that are configured to provide electricpower to a first type of vehicle, and: wherein the EV battery resourcesharing system further comprises: a second plurality of standardized EVbattery modules that are configured to provide electric power to asecond type of vehicle, wherein at least one of a size and an electricpower capacity of the second plurality of standardized EV batterymodules is different from the size and the electric power capacity ofthe first plurality of standardized EV battery modules.
 13. An electricvehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system, comprising: a batterymodule standardization alliance, comprising: a plurality of differentvehicle manufacturing companies that manufacture a plurality ofdifferent models of EVs that are powered by at least one standardized EVbattery module, a plurality of battery manufacturers that manufacturethe standardized EV battery modules; a plurality of battery exchangefacilities located where a user of an EV exchanges a discharged firststandardized EV battery module manufactured by a first one of theplurality of battery manufacturers for a fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module that is manufactured by a second one ofthe plurality of battery manufacturers; and a plurality of batteryproviders that own and that provide the standardized EV battery modulesto the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein the batterymodule standardization alliance is based on an alliance agreementbetween the plurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies theplurality of battery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers,and the plurality of battery exchange facilities, and wherein theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the plurality ofbattery manufacturers, the plurality of battery providers, and theplurality of battery exchange facilities are each identified by a uniqueidentifier; a plurality of standardized EV battery modules, wherein theplurality of standardized EV battery modules includes the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module and the fully charged secondstandardized EV batter module, wherein the first standardized EV batterymodule stores a first identity information that uniquely identifies thefirst standardized EV battery module and that identifies the firstbattery manufacturer in a first module information device, and whereinthe second standardized EV battery module stores a second identityinformation that uniquely identifies the second standardized EV batterymodule and that identifies the second battery manufacturer in a secondmodule information device, wherein each of the plurality of standardizedEV battery modules is configured to provide power to any of theplurality of different models of EVs, wherein each different EV containsa battery swap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at leastone of the plurality of standardized EV battery modules within the EVand is configured to electrically couple the at least one standardizedEV battery modules to an electric terminal of the EV battery swapcabinet to provide power to an electric motor the EV; and a firstbattery exchange facility, wherein the battery exchange facility is afirst one of the plurality of battery exchange facilities, wherein thefirst battery exchange facility has previously charged to at least apredefined amount of electrical power the second standardized EV batterymodule and has secured the second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility releases the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module to the user after a payment has been madeby the user for the fully charged second standardized EV battery module,wherein the battery exchange facility recharges the discharged firststandardized EV battery module after the user has placed the dischargedfirst standardized EV battery module into the battery exchange facility,wherein the first standardized EV battery module stores a first usehistory information associated with the unique identifier of theplurality of different vehicle manufacturing companies, the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery providers, and the uniqueidentifier of the plurality of battery exchange facilities into thefirst module information device, wherein the second standardized EVbattery module stores a second use history information associated withthe unique identifier of the plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, the unique identifier of the plurality ofbattery providers, and the unique identifier of the plurality of batteryexchanges facilities into the second module information device, whereinthe battery exchange facility recharges the discharged firststandardized EV battery module during an off peak time of day.
 14. TheEV battery resource sharing system of claim 5, wherein the batteryexchange facility determines an amount of remaining power residing inthe discharged first standardized EV battery module, and wherein thecost of the power paid to a power provider for the recharging of theexchanged first standardized EV battery module corresponds to thepredefined amount of electrical power that the first standardized EVbattery module is recharged to less the amount of the remaining powerresiding in the discharged first standardized EV battery module.
 15. TheEV battery resource sharing system of claim 2, wherein the securingdevice is a second securing device that has secured the secondstandardized EV battery module, wherein the battery resource manageractuates a first securing device to secure the first standardized EVbattery module that has been returned by the user, and wherein thebattery resource manager actuates the second securing device to releasethe fully charged second standardized EV battery module to the user inresponse to the user completing the payment for the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module and in response to the battery resourcemanager actuating the first securing device to secure the firststandardized EV battery module that has been returned by the user. 16.The EV battery resource sharing system of claim 15, wherein the paymentis a first payment, and wherein the battery resource manager actuatesthe second securing device to release the fully charged secondstandardized EV battery module to the user in response to the usercompleting a second payment that is larger than the first payment inresponse to the user failing to return the first standardized EV batterymodule.
 17. An electric vehicle (EV) battery resource sharing system,comprising: a plurality of standardized EV battery modules, wherein theplurality of standardized EV battery modules includes a first batterymodule and a second battery module, wherein each of the plurality ofbattery modules is configured to provide power to a plurality ofdifferent models of EVs manufactured by a plurality of different vehiclemanufacturing companies, wherein each different EV contains a batteryswap cabinet that is configured to releasably secure at least one of theplurality of battery modules within the EV and is configured toelectrically couple the at least one battery module to an electricterminal of the EV battery swap cabinet to provide power to an electricmotor of the EV; a battery exchange facility; and a battery resourcemanager communicatively coupled to a module information device of thefirst standardized EV battery module, wherein the battery resourcemanager acquires information pertaining to the first standardized EVbattery module that has been stored on the module information device,and wherein the acquired information includes EV battery moduleinformation that is associated with the second standardized EV batterymodule, wherein a user of an Electric Vehicle (EV), while at the batteryexchange facility, exchanges the discharged first standardized EVbattery module for the second standardized EV battery module that isfully charged, wherein the battery exchange facility releases the fullycharged second standardized EV battery module in response to completionof a payment by the user for the fully charged second standardized EVbattery module and in response to a return of the first standardized EVbattery module to the battery exchange facility by the user, wherein thebattery resource manager is configured to identify a cost of power paidto a power provider for a charging of the second standardized EV batterymodule, wherein the battery resource manager is configured to determinea second payment due to the owner of the second standardized EV batterymodule based on a unique identifier of one of the plurality of batteryproviders that provided the second standardized EV battery module thatis included in the EV battery module information of the secondstandardized EV battery module, wherein the battery resource manager isconfigured to determine a third payment due to an owner of the batteryexchange facility based on a unique identifier of plurality of batteryexchange facilities, and wherein the first payment that is due to thepower provider, the second payment due to the owner of the secondstandardized EV battery module, and the third payment due to the ownerof the battery exchange facility equals the payment of the user for thecharged second standardized EV battery module.
 18. The EV batteryresource sharing system of claim 17, wherein the battery exchangefacility determines an amount of remaining power residing in thedischarged first standardized EV battery module, and wherein a value ofthe remaining power in the first standardized EV battery module iscredited to the user.
 19. The EV battery resource sharing system ofclaim 17, wherein the battery exchange facility determines an amount ofremaining power residing in the discharged first standardized EV batterymodule, and wherein a value of the remaining power in the firststandardized EV battery module is used to reduce the amount of thepayment by the user for the second standardized EV battery module. 20.The EV battery resource sharing system of claim 17, wherein the batteryexchange facility determines an amount of remaining power residing inthe discharged first standardized EV battery module, wherein a value ofthe remaining power in the first standardized EV battery module isdetermined, wherein the battery exchange facility recharges thedischarged first battery module after the user has placed the dischargedfirst battery module into the battery exchange facility, and wherein thefirst payment that is due to the power provider is reduced by the valueof the remaining power.